What are the differences between Microsoft 365 Business and Office 365 Personal?

06/11/25 Wavenet
Microsoft Office 365

Choosing between Microsoft 365 Business and Office 365 Personal can be a key decision for individuals and organisations seeking the right productivity suite. Whether you’re a small business owner, freelancer, or remote worker, understanding the differences helps you invest in tools that align with your goals.

Let’s explore what sets these two Microsoft solutions apart - and why Microsoft 365 by Wavenet is the trusted choice for UK businesses.

Microsoft 365 Business: designed for team productivity and growth

Microsoft 365 Business, from Wavenet is built for UK businesses that need more than just the standard Office apps.

It includes all the core Microsoft applications - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook — alongside advanced tools like Microsoft Teams for collaboration and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for business management.

Key benefits of Microsoft 365 Business by Wavenet

  • Enhanced Team Collaboration:
    Wavenet’s Microsoft 365 Business plans make teamwork seamless. With Microsoft Teams, employees can chat, hold video meetings, and share files securely — whether they’re in the office or working remotely.

  • Comprehensive Business Management:
    Through Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, businesses can unify finance, operations, sales, and service in one central platform — streamlining processes and improving decision-making.

  • Cloud Productivity and Advanced Security:
    Microsoft 365 Business by Wavenet enables secure, remote access to files and applications. With enterprise-grade cybersecurity, mobile device management, and data loss prevention, businesses can operate confidently in the cloud.

  • Expert Local Support:
    As a UK-based Microsoft Solutions Partner, Wavenet provides ongoing support, migration assistance, and proactive management - ensuring your Microsoft 365 environment runs efficiently and securely.

Office 365 Personal: ideal for individual use

Office 365 Personal is designed for individuals who need access to familiar Microsoft tools for personal tasks and projects.

It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage, allowing users to create documents, manage emails, and store files easily across devices.

While it delivers great value for individual productivity, it lacks the advanced collaboration, device management, and business security features available in Microsoft 365 Business.

Differences in pricing and licensing

Microsoft 365 Business offers flexible plans that cater to different organisational needs - from Business Basic to Business Premium. For example:

  • Business Standard includes desktop Office apps and Teams.

  • Business Premium adds advanced security, device management, and cloud services.

Office 365 Personal, meanwhile, is a simple, cost-effective subscription for individuals, billed monthly or annually. It’s ideal for personal productivity but not designed for multi-user environments or team collaboration.

Choosing between Microsoft 365 Business and Office 365 Personal

If you run a business or work as part of a team, Microsoft 365 Business by Wavenet is the clear choice. It combines productivity tools with enterprise-grade security, seamless collaboration, and dedicated local support.

For personal users who just need access to essential Office apps and cloud storage, Office 365 Personal remains an affordable and straightforward option.

Why choose Microsoft 365 by Wavenet?

Wavenet is one of the UK’s leading providers of Microsoft 365 solutions, delivering tailored packages that help businesses work smarter, communicate better, and stay secure.

Wavenet offers:

  • Expert guidance on the right Microsoft 365 plan for your organisation.

  • Managed onboarding, migration, and ongoing support.

  • Integrated cybersecurity, connectivity, and IT services for a complete digital workplace solution.

Whether you’re migrating from legacy systems or scaling your digital operations, Wavenet ensures your transition to Microsoft 365 is smooth, compliant, and future-ready.

Conclusion

Both Microsoft 365 Business and Office 365 Personal offer powerful productivity solutions - but they serve different needs.

For individuals, Office 365 Personal provides all the essentials.

For businesses, Microsoft 365 Business by Wavenet delivers a comprehensive, secure, and collaborative ecosystem built for modern work.

In today’s cloud-first world, having the right tools can make all the difference. Empower your team, protect your data, and drive efficiency with Microsoft 365 by Wavenet - the UK’s trusted Microsoft Solutions Partner.

Useful links: Microsoft 365 by Wavenet | Microsoft 365 Management 

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